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Reps. Houlahan and Bice Unveil Pivotal Paid Family Leave Legislation

Bipartisan House Paid Family Leave Working Group Delivers for Families and Employers with Innovative Solutions

Washington, D.C. , April 30, 2025

Today, Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) and Stephanie Bice (R-OK-05), Co-Chairs of the Bipartisan House Paid Family Leave Working Group, held a press conference at the House Triangle to unveil the More Paid Leave for More Americans Act. This legislation consists of two parts the Paid Family Leave Public Partnerships Act and the Interstate Paid Leave Action Network Act (I-PLAN-Act). This bipartisan legislative package is designed to expand access to paid family leave across the country through state-driven, innovative, and sustainable solutions. The United States remains one of the few developed nations without a national paid family leave policy. While some states have made strides to fill this gap, many American workers still lack access to basic paid leave benefits. This legislation recognizes the innovative work happening in states and provides scalable support, while offering coordination tools to reduce inconsistencies across state lines. 

This legislation is the culmination of two years of collaboration between an evenly split group of Republican and Democratic lawmakers. Alongside Reps. Bice and Houlahan, the working group includes Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Haley Stevens (D-MI), Julia Letlow (R-LA), Don Beyer (D-VA), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), and Jimmy Gomez (D-CA). 

"Today's introduction of a bipartisan paid leave package is monumental. Regardless of party, Americans believe that Congress must act and support efforts nationwide to advance paid family and medical leave. The More Paid Leave for More Americans Act and I-PLAN Act will provide pathways for states to increase access to paid leave, exchange data, and support efforts to streamline best practices and meet the needs of the employees and employers both. I am grateful to the partnership of Rep. Bice and my six other colleagues who join us in this introduction. We still have our work cut out for us, both on this bill and in the continued fight for paid leave for all Americans, but I am determined to keep pushing until we get to the very end and am proud of the immense progress we have made today," said Representative Houlahan. 

“As a mother myself, I recognize the challenges and the importance of uplifting working parents so that they do not have to choose between caring for a newborn and a paycheck. The More Paid Leave for More Americans Act empowers states to create their own sustainable paid leave programs through public-private partnerships, while also ensuring coordination and consistency across state lines,” said Representative Bice. We’re not mandating a one-size-fits-all federal program, we’re building a flexible federal strategy that supports state innovation and addresses the real challenges families face today.” 

“While the rise in state-level paid family leave laws has provided access to this critical benefit for millions of workers, the distinct requirements of each program present compliance challenges for multistate employers. BPC Action is proud to endorse the I-PLAN Act and the More Paid Leave for More Americans Act to improve the efficiency of existing paid family and medical leave programs, help establish new paid family leave programs, and promote greater uniformity across states. We commend the House Bipartisan Paid Family Leave Working Group, chaired by Reps. Stephanie Bice (R-OK) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), for their leadership and commitment to addressing this issue that impacts so many Americans,” says Michele Stockwell, president of Bipartisan Policy Center Action. 

Bill Information:  

1. Title I: The Paid Family Leave Public Partnerships Act: 

This three-year pilot program administered by the Department of Labor provides competitive grants to states that establish paid family leave programs through partnerships with private entities. To qualify, states must offer: 

  • At least 6 weeks of paid leave for birth or adoption. 

  • Wage replacement of between 50% and 67% based on income with a maximum benefit amount equal to 150% of the state’s average weekly wage. 

  • A public-private partnership model, such as those used in New Hampshire and Colorado. 

  • Participation in the Interstate Paid Leave Action Network (I-PLAN) for harmonization across states. 

 

2. Title II: The Interstate Paid Leave Action Network Act (I-PLAN Act): 

This initiative creates a national framework to help states coordinate benefits, share data, and reduce confusion for workers who live and work in different states. The I-PLAN will: 

  • Develop best practices from existing state programs. 

  • Help states harmonize policies and resolve conflicts. 

  • Support the creation of an electronic communication system to promote integrity, efficiency, and accessibility. 

Read the bill here. 


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